Natalie was sitting with Bethany inside the hospital on a chilly winter day. Outside it was snowing and the landscape was draped in a thick white coat. Inside the room was warm, but so far only Natalie felt the warmth. Bethany did not.

Bethany had a problem where she was unable to feel the things she had once loved as deeply as before. Some said that she was going through growing pains. Some said she was tired. Some said all she needed was someone to talk to. Natalie, who had taken these hypotheses to heart, was determined to help the little girl feel again.

Natalie had hence seen Bethany every day for a week. Not once had Bethany shown any emotion. The nurses were worried and thought Natalie was their only hope due to her optimism. How right they were.

One day, when the snow was coming down like care packages, Natalie sat at Bethany’s bedside with a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. Bethany’s lamp was dimly lit. She was in a trance, almost lucid. She hardly acknowledged Natalie’s presence. It wasn’t until Natalie turned the light on completely that Bethany seemed to snap out of it.

“Hey, there,” Natalie said softly. “How are you?”

“I’m... fine,” Bethany said listlessly. She looked out the window. “What day is it?”

“It’s Friday,” Natalie answered promptly. “I’ve been with you for a week now.”

“You have?”

Natalie nodded. “Everyone’s worried about you. I came here to help.”

Bethany was silent. Natalie spoke.

“Would you like some hot chocolate?” Natalie offered. “You look a little blue.”

Bethany nodded and slowly reached out for the cup Natalie handed her. Slowly, she brought it to her lips and savoured it. Natalie smiled.

“Now,” Natalie said confidently, “how would you like it if we chat for a bit?”

“About what?” Bethany asked as she set the cup down on her nightstand.

“I want to know why you’re so reserved,” Natalie said softly. “Why are you so quiet? Why don’t you talk with everyone?”

Bethany hastily drank the hot chocolate. Setting it down again, she said, “It’s complicated.”

“Don’t worry,” Natalie said patiently. “You don’t need to simplify.”

Bethany took a deep breath and said quietly, “It’s about me.”

Natalie nodded. “Go on.”

“I feel so... distant from myself. Like I’m not the person I was two years ago.”

Natalie checked off Growing up from the possible diagnosis of Bethany’s problem in her mind.

“I haven’t been able to enjoy the things I used to value most of all because they seem to cliché now. I feel as if I’ve done them a thousand times and they no longer do me justice.”

Natalie checked off Tired of the routine from the list.

“And I haven’t been able to talk about it to anyone because I was afraid that they would shake it off of me and tell me I’m worried over such a trivial thing. I was afraid they’d tell me to get over it and not help me.”

“That’s what I’m here for, Bethany,” Natalie told her. “I’m here to help you.”

“Then what do you think is wrong with me?” Bethany said beseechingly. “You’ve been through it before too, right?”

Natalie nodded. “Of course. Everyone has, and everyone will.”

Bethany finished off what was left of the hot chocolate. Natalie went out of the room to get her some more. When she came back, Bethany was waiting for her.

“Am I sick or something, to go through this?” she asked.

“Not at all,” Natalie said. “You’re just growing up. You’re learning to let go of your old self, old ways of life, and soon you’ll be making your own place in the world.”

“So what are you saying?”

“You’re growing up, Bethany.” Natalie smiled. “You’re just refusing to let go of the old things, and that’s why you’re feeling distant. You’re trying to find yourself in this big world.”

Bethany then burst into tears. Natalie patted her shoulder.

Once she was done crying, Bethany said, smiling wanly, “You really understand.”

Natalie smiled back. “Hey, all you really need is a friend to help you get through. That’s why I came here and made you that hot chocolate.”

Bethany smiled wider. “Thanks so much!”

“No problem.”

Soon a slight filled the room. The snowflakes had melted to become rain, and soon the sun shone on them. Thus began Bethany’s journey through the world as a woman with her friend Natalie always by her side.